Training and business services for home inspectors

Although no longer compulsory from 1 June 2007, full Home Condition Reports (HCRs) are still likely to be produced when the introduction of Home Information Packs (HIPs) goes live.

Although no longer compulsory from 1 June 2007, full Home Condition Reports (HCRs) are still likely to be produced when the introduction of Home Information Packs (HIPs) goes live, says SAVA, the leading independent provider of training and business services for home inspectors.

Responding to the Government's announcement today about the future of HIPs, Brian Scannell, managing director of SAVA, said: "We are extremely disappointed by today's announcement.

It's an unnecessary change that simply delays the consumer benefits of compulsory Home Condition Reports whilst adding to the uncertainty of prospective home inspectors and the HIP industry.

"There has been some speculation recently that there would not be enough Home Inspectors in time for a mandatory roll out of HCRs next summer.

This is complete nonsense and I am surprised that the Minister should even mention this as a factor in the Government's change of thinking.

Even by the Government's own figures, there are already more than 4,400 people currently in training to become Home Inspectors, and we still have a year to go.

"However, we are pleased that the Government's policy objective remains that a full HCR will be available for all properties when they are marketed.

The Energy Performance Certificate will be compulsory from 1 June 2007 and, although voluntary, the rest of the Home Condition Report provides valuable objective information on the condition of the home, written in plain English and prepared by certified Home Inspectors.

"Putting a property on the market with a complete HCR will help to make it more attractive to potential purchasers and will help a sale to go through faster.

The marginal additional cost of producing a full report should be more than offset by the market advantage it gives to sellers.

"For this reason, industry will certainly do its bit to promote full reports to sellers.

But in order for the market to function as the Government wants, we will still need to see stronger market demand from homebuyers, and more consumers need to know the benefits of seeing a full HCR before they buy a home.

This is where Government must play its part.

"Like many other organisations committed to a more certain and efficient home buying process, SAVA believes in the fundamental value of HIPs.

We have spent three years putting in place the support services needed by Home Inspectors, particularly independent traders and small businesses.

"We are still planning to set up a Home Inspector certification scheme, and will work with Home Information Pack providers so that people can still have access to a high quality Home Inspectors wherever they are needed.".

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